Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 321 "Unyielding" Formation

September 5th, 2025

On the sea about 80 kilometers east of Hong Kong

Two huge sailing warships were cruising on the sea, one in front and one behind, with the Chu Navy flag hanging on their tall masts. This was a lone wolf fleet.

The British Royal Navy, which had participated in the Battle of Manila Bay, could immediately recognize the dark five-masted warship in front of them;

This is the five-masted sailing battleship "Machine Gunner" with a displacement of 3600 tons, which belonged to the former French Far East Navy. It is a powerful warship built in 1848, but it was stuck in the Saigon River fork and became a prisoner.

After being captured by the Chu Navy, the ship was modified to be covered with four inches of armor above the waterline, about as thick as an adult's fist.

This warship was included in the Chu Navy sequence and its name was changed to "Unyielding", so this lone wolf fleet was the "Unyielding" formation.

The other is the "Bu Hu" formation, led by the captured 2344-ton French sailing battleship "Nemesis". This ship has also been armored and modified and named "Bu Hu" in the Chu Navy sequence. It is currently sailing near the South China Sea route, hunting for British and French merchant ships.

How did these two armored warships, originally part of the ironclad floating artillery batteries at the entrance of Manila Bay, serving as auxiliary firepower for Fort Corregidor, appear in the waters around Hong Kong?

The reason is simple and clear.

These two captured main sailing warships of the former French Far East Fleet did not have a suitable place in the Chu Navy sequence.

When the British and French allied fleets attacked in large numbers, it was used as a floating sea artillery platform to cooperate with the Corregidor Fortress in operations, and was fixed with iron chains behind the shipwreck area.

When the Anglo-French fleet retreated, these two specially modified armored warships were freed up and transformed into the flagships of the Lone Wolf formation, heavy artillery ships responsible for outputting firepower.

One is the "Unyielding" formation, and the other is the "Unhumiliating" formation. They mainly roam in the waterways around the South China Sea, looking for soft targets to exploit.

If they encountered the British or French fleets, they would hoist the sails and flee.

In the vast South China Sea
These two lone wolf fleets directly blocked the northbound commercial routes of Britain and France, posing a serious threat to their interests. This made the British furious and caused great headaches for the French.

Such a lone wolf formation is like a needle in the ocean on the vast sea. The Royal Navy needs to send ten, twenty or even more warships to encircle and suppress it, which makes them exhausted.

Even if there was a collision, it would just be a chase at sea and would end in nothing.

But we cannot ignore its existence. The Lone Wolf Fleet posed a huge threat to commercial routes, causing British opium merchants to suffer heavy losses. As many as nine opium ships were captured and sunk, resulting in losses of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Dozens of British and French merchant ships were detained and escorted into Manila Bay, and the northern route became a forbidden area.

On the huge rear tower of the battleship Indomitable, there is an armored command platform that protects the important steering wheel and the battleship commander's command position.

This type of armored protection device was not found in the British and French Royal Navies and was unique to the Chu Navy.

This is an armored command platform that His Majesty the King of Chu specially ordered to be installed in order to protect the key positions of senior officers and sailing warships in the fleet. All warships have it.

Colonel Zhang Lei, dressed in a neat white naval officer's uniform, was standing on the wide rear deck of the poop with a lieutenant officer, chatting while looking at the endless sea outside.

He was the commander and captain of the "Unyielding" formation and one of the senior officers of the Chu Royal Navy.

In the Chu Navy
No matter how important a large warship is, the captain's rank can be as high as lieutenant colonel, but there are also majors, captains, and even lieutenants. Most of the lower-ranking ones are captains of auxiliary ships.

When one reaches the rank of naval colonel, he can serve as a formation commander. For example, Major General Phelan Williams, commander of the heavy armored strike formation, originally had the rank of colonel.

Because of his outstanding military achievements, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Although the "Indomitable" Lone Wolf Fleet consists of only three warships and is a small fleet, the fleet commander also holds the rank of colonel. A naval lieutenant colonel has no authority to hold this important position, and this will not change.

"Sir, the British opium ship we captured last time was a big fish, carrying a full 550 tons of Indian opium. That must be worth a lot of money, right?"

"What...what do you have in mind, kid?"

"Hehehe, then...there's no reward from the top?"

"Look at your little achievements, and you only care about money. The navy is short of your salary, your sea allowance, or your combat allowance. Isn't the money enough?"

"Sir, who would complain about getting too much money?"

"So, your rank is only lieutenant for the rest of your life. Opium is banned in the kingdom. It's harmful to people. It's been the cause of countless family breakdowns and separations."

"Sir, don't think I don't know. This opium can be used as medicine to treat many diseases. It can cure headaches, fevers, colds and flu."

This Navy Lieutenant Zhang Guozhi is the nephew of Colonel Zhang Lei and the child of his eldest brother, so there are no taboos when the two talk in private.

Colonel Zhang Lei glanced helplessly at his nephew. Zhang Guozhi was tall and strong, wearing a neat white naval officer uniform, looking particularly energetic.

This guy is good in every way, except that he is a bit greedy for money.

So, Colonel Zhang Lei scolded and said;
"The Navy has its own rules for how to reward officers and soldiers, and it's not your turn as a mere lieutenant to worry about it. Is that something you should be worrying about?

I'm just saying this in front of me. If you dare to speak so recklessly in front of others, it will be equivalent to ruining your naval career. How can this be a joke?
If you dare to be so reckless again, Uncle San will break your legs. Remember this."

"Oh, I understand, sir." After being scolded, Zhang Guozhi finally behaved himself. He stood at attention and raised his hand to salute.

Colonel Zhang Lei ignored him, walked to the side of the ship with his hands behind his back, faced the sea, and said earnestly:
"Guozhi, you and I are now living in a crucial moment of historical change in our era, and we should cherish it doubly. Your Majesty the King of Chu is a peerless hero of our time, having led hundreds of warships and tens of thousands of soldiers to Southeast Asia.

It takes courage to risk everything on one's huge family fortune to achieve this unprecedented feat.
In just a few years, it has become a big success!

This expansion of territory across thousands of miles in Southeast Asia has achieved a great feat that has not been seen in thousands of years for the Chinese nation, spreading Confucian culture and expanding the living space of the Han nationality.

A hundred boats compete to be the first, which brings benefits to the present and future generations.

This will surely be a significant chapter in the history of China, recorded forever in history and remembered by future generations.

At that time, it was an opportunity for world-changing changes, and all the passionate and knowledgeable people in China threw themselves into it.

Willing to sacrifice my life, shed my blood, and follow till death.

If one can achieve one or two things, it would not be a waste of one's life. How can the conduct of a real man be tainted by a tiny penny?
If you tell others about it, they will laugh at you. Keep this in mind."

"My nephew has learned from my third uncle's teachings and will never speak nonsense again." Zhang Guozhi responded solemnly.

He is just young and straightforward, and says whatever is on his mind.

I didn't expect that my uncle would say it so seriously. I was shocked and never dared to look careless again.

exactly at this time
The alarm bell on the masthead rang, and Colonel Zhang Lei's eyes instantly became sharp and he looked up.

"Reporting to the commander, enemy ships have been spotted in the southwest sea. We estimate there are three, no... five, heading towards us, at a distance of thirty chains."

One chain is 185 meters, and thirty chains is about 5.5 kilometers. This is a commonly used distance unit in the navy.

"Continue to monitor closely and report back at any time."

"Yes, sir."

Captain Zhang Lei considered it for a moment and then ordered, "Turn left 20 degrees, maintain a distance of more than 20 chains from the enemy ship, and closely observe its movements."

"Yes, sir. Turn left 20 degrees and observe its movements closely."

"Sound the alarm."

"Yes, sir. Sound the alarm."

"Raise the battle flag and prepare for battle."

"Yes, command! Raise the battle flag and prepare for battle."

After the "Indomitable" formation turned, all the sails were opened to face the wind, and the sails were filled with sea breeze, which made the speed of the warships gradually soar, and they sailed faster and faster on the sea.

The two warships, one in front and one behind, raced across the sea, braving the wind and waves. Their speed increased from the original seven to eight knots to ten, twelve, and thirteen knots...

This made the battle formation of the British Royal Fleet, which was approaching rapidly from a distance, so angry that they cursed loudly. They had no choice but to speed up and chase after them.

As time went on, the battle formation of the British Royal Fleet revealed its full movements. It was a squadron composed of 8 sailing ships, which was one of the British battle fleets chasing the Indomitable.

The two sides are old rivals, and the familiar routine is being played out again.

The two fleets were chasing and fleeing on the sea, with almost the same speed. Sometimes they were sailing with the wind, sometimes they were turning at a large angle, and sometimes they were sailing in a zigzag pattern against the wind.

When the distance was close, it was seven or eight chains, or ten chains. When the distance was far, it was dozens of chains. It was like a cat and mouse on the sea, and ten hours passed quickly.

As dusk approached, the British Royal Navy's sailing fleet, which was chasing behind, began to bombard the "Indomitable" formation from a distance in frustration. The shells fell far away from the formation, splashing up tall columns of water.

It's useless and I just fought for nothing.

sound

It was more like a farewell to the "Indomitable" formation. After a round of bombardment, the British fleet stopped.

They knew that was the end of it.

really
After dusk falls

The "Indomitable" fleet was still speeding across the sea. If we didn't keep an eye on it for a while, it would have disappeared into the vast ocean and could never be found again.

The frustrated British fleet also gave up the idea of ​​searching. Even if they didn't lose the ship now, they would lose it after nightfall, and the result would be the same.

Even if we capture the "Unyielding" formation, what can we do?
Usually at this time

Seeing that it could not escape and was surrounded by one or two British fleets, the "Indomitable" formation would disband the formation and let the faster sailing warships leave first.

As long as it can reach an extremely high speed of 16 knots on the sea, it will be difficult for any British sailing ship to catch up.

The remaining "Indomitable" armored warship is not a pushover either. At least that thick layer of armor is difficult to break. How can it be caught while it is galloping freely on such a vast sea?
(End of this chapter)